Newcastle need new signings following Pablo Aimar snub

Newcastle United's stunning £7million move for Argentinian star Pablo Aimar has collapsed, dealing a shattering blow for boss Kevin Keegan.

The Toon's offer for Aimar was accepted by Spanish club Real Zaragoza, but the skilful attacker turned down the move last night because of problems with personal terms.

Aimar and his agents were unhappy with the cash on offer and, instead, re-opened talks with Benfica ahead of an anticipated signing with the Portuguese giants today.

The news will be a major upset for Keegan, who has been chasing Aimar for months, and it is also an embarrassment for Toon's transfer negotiating team of Dennis Wise, Jeff Vetere and Tony Jimenez.

This 'crack' team were supposed to deliver new faces by the score in this transfer window, but star signing Aimar - originally keen to join - is now likely to be gone from their grasp within hours.

Aimar's U-turn is bad news for James Milner, who was set to leave for either Liverpool or Aston Villa if the South American had signed.

Aimar's loss illustrates the problems Newcastle have faced recruiting players, and goalkeeper Steve Harper called on the club to get spending and bolster a "sparse and depleted" squad.

Harper has revealed that a plush new dressing room has been built for Keegan's squad - but there are not enough players to fill it!

Harper, who will push Shay Given for the No.1 jersey this season, was among the Newcastle stars - including new boy Jonas Gutierrez from Real Mallorca - put through their paces in training yesterday by Keegan.

Keegan is expected to have a limited budget this summer with Gutierrez and Danny Guthrie the only arrivals so far, with David Rozehnal and Emre sold.

Harper admitted: "We're pretty depleted. We've lost four or five players and the dressing room is pretty sparse.

"We've got a nice new dressing room and there are a lot of empty spaces, so it would be nice to see those filled up.

"We've still got a few weeks to do that, and of course we want to see new arrivals.

"We were maybe two or three short last year, given the injuries we had and we've lost three or four.

"I'm sure the manager and those upstairs are working hard behind the scenes to bring in the people we need because new faces would give everyone, players and fans alike, a big lift."

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